THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Recently, dear ones of mine became really ill with Covid. I asked them if there was anything I can do for them,  meaning if they needed any food or groceries. But they both replied, “Just continue to keep us in prayer.”

Their faith in prayer reminded me of the power of prayer! “Praying unlocks the doors of Heaven and releases the power of God.” – Billy Graham.  In James 4:2 we’re reminded, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Not only are we to bring our needs to God, but Scripture says we’re to also bring the needs of others to Him. How often do we pray for our coworkers by name? Do we care for them enough to pray for them? Even the ones that trouble us. Do we pray for their needs? Do we even know what their needs are? May we engage and invest in our coworkers so our prayers may be used by God to impact them.

Consider: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6, NASB.

This thought was written by Jake Joseph, General Director of FCAP.

IN THE JETSTREAM

God-Ordained Work

   In earlier years I wrestled as to whether my choice to be a pilot was selfish.  Could aviation be used for God’s glory or was this an act of selfish ambition?  I had the idea that being part of a mission/bush pilot organization was more spiritual or holy than other flying jobs.

Several years after being hired as a First Officer at AirMidwest Airlines, I stepped off the Beech 1900D to deplane customers at Reading, PA.  it was there that a non-revving USAirways Flight Attendant handed me a brochure called the TRIM TAB.  This was my introduction to the Fellowship of Christian Airline Personnel; but more importantly, it led to my realization as to how my work in the airline industry had purpose to serve the Lord, and that I could view this as God-ordained work.

View of Work Throughout History

   Plato and Aristotle viewed that the majority of men should do the heavy work, so the minority of men might engage in higher pursuits, such as art, philosophy, and politics.  In that period artisans and craftsmen were considered a little better than slaves.  Slavery in and of itself was an institution based on the loathing of work.  In the Roman era, Marcus Tullius Cicero, of the first century BC, basically viewed working daily for a livelihood was unbecoming of a gentleman (free born man).  Many in the aviation realm today, even Christians, unfortunately view work as a curse.

What Does Scripture Say?

   In Scripture, however, God clearly affirms the concept of work as He placed Adam to have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth (Genesis 1:28).  In Genesis 2:8 and 15 we read that God placed Adam in the garden to cultivate it.  This was a vocation leading to participation in God’s work rather than placing a burden on us to perform and achieve a goal so that we will be accepted by God.  Adam participated in God’s work.

King Solomon shares in Ecclesiastes that labor is from the hand of God.  In verses 18 and 19 of chapter 5, he writes, “Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which toils under the sun all the days of his life which God give him; for it is his heritage … this is a gift from God.”  To summarize, labor is good, labor is from the hand of God, labor is a gift of God.  Rejoice in His labor.

Questions of Consider

  • If we view work as a curse, how does this affect our diffusing the fragrance (aroma) of Christ Jesus in our workplace? Do we carry a pleasing fragrance spiritually…or do we stink?
  • If we stink, will co-workers learn to stay away from God because of how we behave? Will they not want to serve God because we are negative role models or because we think or act as if God would not support our profession?
  • Do we feel “missionaries” on a far-off mission field make a greater sacrifice than we do in our work?

I am no exception … I have fallen for these misconceptions.  Then over the years it has become reality that wherever God has allowed each of us to participate in work, we can all be used for His glory and to serve Him in whatever profession or in whatever location He has placed us.  Here is one more question to consider (taken from the book written by Paul Curtas, When God Shows Up at Work):

“5,000 hours of our lifetime could be given for the Sunday or weekly services that we may attend for church.  90,000 hours of our lifetime may be provided for our workplace location on an average.  That would be an 18:1 ratio of time given to us.  Imagine standing before Jesus our Messiah on judgement day.  He would know about the 5,000 hours that we attended church, but if He were to ask about the 90,000 hours in the workplace…what would the answer be?”

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of knowledge of Him in everyplace.”   2 Corinthians 2:14    

This article was written by Eugene Kraybill.  Eugene serves on our FCAP Board of Directors and as Senior Chaplain at the Washington-Dulles International Airport. He is regional Chief Pilot for Mesa Airlines at IAD.  His wife Christina also serves in the  IAD Chapel.

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2022 EAA Airventure in Oshkosh

Our Journey to Oshkosh

For many years it has been our desire to see FCAP  officially represented at the annual EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, WI.   This year it finally happened through our affiliation with  IAMA (International Association of Missionary Aviation).  They invited us to join them in their tent with 13 other Christian aviation non-profits (there are 62 members total in IAMA).  

A number of obstacles had to be overcome, but our awesome team from FCAP made it there for the week of July 24-31.  Thank you, Tim/Carol/Meredith Files, Eugene/Christina Kraybill and Edward Church for venturing where we had never been before and seeing it through.  Our display was staffed faithfully throughout the week,  leaving very little time for our team to enjoy the Airventure festivities.  However, each one of them will tell you it was a blessing being there, meeting the people who stopped by the tent, engaging with other ministries, and furthering the vision of outreach to the airline/aviation world.

In addition to IAMA and our FCAP team,  we want to thank MASA (Missionary Aviation Support Association) who organized transportation and provided host homes, meals and other amenities for our team throughout the week.  We extend heartfelt thanks to Plymouth Church for receiving boxes of materials we shipped ahead of time; they also graciously provided a Sunday evening meal for our team.

 

Location of our FCAP Display Table
Welcome to our home for the week!
FCAP Display Table Within IAMA Tent

 

 

 

 

 

LINK TO YOUTUBE VIDEO

 

Meet Nancy!

In 1972, while working as a Delta flight attendant, I was walking through the Atlanta terminal to my flight when I ran into my roommate from initial training. To my surprise I found myself skipping the small talk and when asked how I was doing, I quickly responded with, “Something’s missing in my life and I don’t know what it is, pray for me!” I was embarrassed that I voiced that since at the time I didn’t believe in prayer. The response I received from Barb was, “We will pray for you!” As I walked away, I noted that she said “we” and wondered why? Barb had gotten involved in a small group of flight attendants who were meeting for prayer and Bible study thru FCAP. As Barb promised, she shared my prayer request with them and also her need for a new roommate.

Shortly after this meeting with Barb, much to my surprise, she was on my flight as a passenger flying to Dallas to attend Jet Recurrent. While inflight I knelt in the aisle next to her and told her I hoped we could talk, but since it was a full flight with meal service, that wouldn’t be possible.  After expressing my thoughts to Barb and walking away, she quickly prayed, “Lord, if this is your time for me to tell Nancy about You, please open the door of opportunity.” Before I made it back to the galley, a thought popped into my mind. I quickly turned around and made my way back up the aisle to ask Barb if it would be alright if I went to her hotel and took a cab to mine later. Barb was elated! She knew that the Lord had clearly shown her that this was the time. While in Barb’s hotel room, she pulled out her Bible and I got nervous. I spoke first, sharing that I felt empty though I loved my job. Maybe it was from being single and meeting the right guy to marry was the answer but so many end in divorce, that couldn’t be the answer. Barb began sharing with me how my life was like a chalkboard that I had messed up, but that Jesus Christ was like the eraser and wanted to wipe the slate clean and take complete control of me. She stated that He had paid the penalty for all my sins; past, present and future! That was the best news I had ever heard!

As she spoke, I felt like I was hearing the good news for the first time, even though I had been raised in a Baptist church. My heart was pounding and I got so scared I told her I had to go and would think about all that she had said. Then she said, “You can leave here the same way you came in or you can go out a new creature in Christ, ‘Therefore, if any man be in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.’ (2 Corinthians 5:17).  If you walk out the door without receiving Him after I’ve told you the truth, you’re in a state of rejecting Him. Can you reject Him?” I could not reject Him. I knew I must surrender completely to Him and give Him my life, which I did that night! Something serious had happened to me and I wondered if I needed to quit my job and maybe join a convent, since now I was surrendered to Him. Barb assured me that I was just to rest in Him and stay put, because He had a plan for my life and I was to trust Him to lead the way.

Janice Barfield with Nancy

 

 

Shortly after this, I received a call from Barb asking me if I would like to move from New Orleans where I was based to Atlanta and become her roommate. I did!  In Atlanta I met flight attendants Janice Barfield, Sandy Browning, and others who had been praying for me and for Barb’s new roommate.  Both prayers were answered! I was then introduced to Joe Ivey who was leading a Bible study in his home where I met other fellow believers in the airlines. Being a believer on the airplane was exactly where God wanted me.

 

Nancy with Fran Hieber

I began attending the FCAP luncheons on the 15th of every month. At one of these meetings, Pat Berryhill asked if I would mind sitting with Fran Garraux Hieber as it was her first time to attend. Because Barb moved, I had prayed that morning for the Lord to show me where I was to live and with whom. As soon as Fran and I sat down, she asked me where I lived and I told her I was praying about finding another place. She lit up and said she was looking for a roommate and would I be interested! Once again the Lord clearly answered my prayer and that day I went with Fran to see her apartment and made arrangements to move in with her. She and I were roommates until I married and are still very close friends to this day.

It was at another FCAP luncheon I met fellow flight attendant, Edward Church, who later introduced me to his best friend Gary Ott who had led him to the Lord years before. After meeting Gary and seeing each other only a few times, we knew that the Lord had brought us together to marry which is a whole other story to tell; of love, walking by faith, watching God lead and miraculously waiting on Him to convince us of His will. Needless to say the Lord used FCAP to introduce me to my Lord and Savior, my roommate, my husband and an ongoing discipleship that has grounded me throughout my Christian life.

Gary and I have been married for 44 years, have two amazing children who love the Lord and have Godly mates, and five wonderful grandchildren.

Gary & Nancy Ott with their grandchildren

 

 

 

Annual Report – 2021

 

In 2021, the Fellowship of Christian Airline Personnel (FCAP) was still navigating through the effects of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. But as 2020 and 2021 were years of great upheaval within the church overall, FCAP has adapted to new and innovative ways of reaching its people.

1.  Our two-fold purpose in FCAP remains unchanged:

  • To encourage Christians to walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, enjoying His presence and possessing His power to be salt and light on the job God has given them on the airlines.
  •  To encourage the Christian airline employee to help carry out the Great Commission, introducing fellow employees to Jesus Christ and helping them to grow toward spiritual maturity.

2.  The mission of FCAP also remains the same:  To encourage believers within the airline and aviation workplaces to represent Christ through meaningful relationships and quality work.

3.  FCAP continues to use prayer to accomplish the mission, along with other resources.

  • Our monthly PRAYER LETTER places prayer requests in the hands of those who have committed to this important task.
  • FCAP also sends out a monthly newsletter (IN THE JETSTREAM) that includes biblical insights on how to live as Christians at work.
  • Our “On the Job…God’s Way” Training is comprised of a formal curriculum that can be taught in person or web-based.
  • Virtual  fellowship and prayer as well as leadership meetings continue to occur post pandemic as an effective way to communicate.

4.  The FCAP Board of Directors is composed of current airline employees along with two retirees. The Board is made up of pilots, mechanics, cabin crew, and technical training personnel from the U.S., Colombia and the Philippines.

5.  FCAP has just recently named a new General Director, Jake Joseph. He is replacing Paul Curtas, who has faithfully served the ministry for nearly 30 years. Our staff is comprised of a General Director, Jenni Ashmore-Ministry Manager, Cathy Goza-Administrative Coordinator, and Edward Church-Fellowship Coordinator.

6.  2021 marked our 50th Anniversary of the founding of the ministry!  Every month a different domicile shared their own ministry beginnings along with updates regarding the specific struggles, victories, and their vision of the future state of the organization.

This ministry is funded totally through donations as God leads in individual hearts.  Our commitment to those who give is as follows:

  • We are committed to using all donations given to FCAP to bless others with the riches of God’s Word and to spread the Gospel of Christ throughout the airline workplace worldwide.
  • We are committed to carrying out the Great Commission of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20) in response to God’s love for us.  We believe that God will provide through His people connected to this ministry.  We will let our needs be known tactfully.
  • We are committed to operating this ministry by principles outlined in God’s Word.  In doing so, we ask that people give to FCAP after their financial obligations to their family and local church.
  • We are committed to honoring privacy by keeping in confidence FCAP contributor names or any information relating to their contributions.

FCAP is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization.  Accordingly, all donations made to this ministry are deductible for income tax purposes. 

God is faithful, and we all here at FCAP give thanks for His providence over us. Grace and peace to you all.

In His Service,

Timothy Files
Secretary/Treasurer

Featured Volunteer

 

 

These are just a few words describing our featured FCAP volunteer for the month of June, Tom Johnson.  Here is what Tom shares about his life and involvement with FCAP:

“In my grade school and high school years in Akron, Ohio, Annabel, a Sunday School leader, and John, a leader of Altar Boys, were among the church adults who were (and this was important) especially encouraging and kind.  They were among the factors that kept me in church in my adolescent years and beyond.  

My first year in Purdue University’s engineering classes proved too much and a counselor suggested Purdue’s two-year Aviation Technology program.  That led to a FAA A&P license and then to Utah State University’s similar program followed by Air Force Officer Training School and four years active duty as an Aeronautical Engineer.  While in the Air Force, I earned a private pilot license on my own.   

Tom with Barney Brogan

As my Air Force commitment was ending I contacted American and interviewed at TWA and United for maintenance jobs.  In 1966 I started in a foreman training program at United Airlines’ SFO Maintenance Base.  Over the next 35 years I was a Maintenance Procedure Writer, a Staff Accountant in Maintenance Sales and finally a Supervisor in Maintenance Records and Control.  In my second year at United, a TWA Flight Attendant in my California church encouraged me to join her in a Bible study in a church close by.  It was there that I received a clear presentation of the Gospel that led to my salvation.  Around 1972 a United flight attendant, Joline Oberhelman, posted an announcement of a lunchtime Bible study where I soon heard of the FCAP.  This led to attendance at a weekly all-airline Bible study in the home of Barney Brogan, an American Airlines SFO crew scheduler, and his wife, Gina.

A FCAP West Coast Conference in May 1975 was the start of almost 30 years of active involvement that included the localFCAP SFO/OAK/SJC newsletter, West Coast Conferences, FCAP International Convention site evaluation and transportation planning.  At FCAP gatherings I became known as “Mr. OAG” as I used a pocket version of the Official Airline Guide to assist with helping attendees plan for their return flights home. 

Tom enjoying a break during a convention held near Tampa with his OAG ready and waiting … always with a smile!

 

 

 

Jennie Seals and others enjoying Tom’s ever ready humor at a convention held at Shocco Springs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom with his friend “Max”


Being in a new and one-person job on 9/11/2001 resulted in my forced early retirement.  That opened the way to caring for people’s dogs and other pets in their homes during their travels and also to participation in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), including ten years as a leader.  In the year of my retirement I moved to an inherited home in a new county and was searching for a church when Colleen Johnson, an American Flight Attendant who knew of my search, mentioned it to a jump seat partner.  The new church is wonderful!  This was the third redirect of my life through an airline FA … as important to me as pointing the way to an escape slide!  Praise to our wonderful Lord!”

All who have had the privilege of knowing Tom and spending time with him are blessed beyond measure.  Thank you, dear brother, for your faithfulness and encouragement over these many years.

~ The FCAP Staff

IN THE JETSTREAM – June

Terminals and Gates

June 2022

   Much of our business in the commercial aviation industry has to do with our constant use of airports, their facilities, and their installations. Let us imagine that the world we live in is a gigantic airport terminal with crowds, billions of people living their lives as best they can as they approach the time to leave this earth. Most do not think about it and seem to live as if they will live forever, sometimes becoming careless. However, deep down everyone knows that it is only a matter of time before a disease, a pandemic, a war, or an accident puts an end to their existence. Living amid a world so full of options and alternatives, one might ask these questions:  “Which path is true?” and “If there is such a path, can one choose and follow it with absolute confidence?”

Affirmation from Our Shepherd

   Jesus found Himself in a similar context. As he was going through the cities, villages, and countryside of Ancient Judea, the Bible says that He, “saw the crowds…(and He) had compassion on them, because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36).  In another part of Scripture, while addressing His disciples Jesus affirms, “…I tell you the truth, I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7). He later explains the purpose of that statement and adds, “I am the door; he who enters by me will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). The truth is simple. It is through Christ that every human being can find salvation, purpose, and rest for his burdened soul. He is undoubtedly the true Way and the One in whom we can place all our trust.

Finding the Right Path

   A few years ago my family and I were visiting a friend in Tampa, Florida. It was time to return to Bogota, our home city in Colombia, and we traveled to the airport early, which would put us there three to four hours before the flight. However, upon traveling via the I-75 highway, halfway between Naples and the Miami area, we found that traffic was at a complete standstill. There had been a car accident! As the minutes ticked by and no vehicles were allowed to pass, we began to pray.

Finally, the way was cleared and we continued, first to return the rented vehicle at the Miami Airport and then to check in less than an hour before departure. The airline employees received our checked luggage, and we hurried as best we could to get through TSA screening and then to the gate. Our fear was that we would not make it before they closed the gate. We finally found the gate, presented our boarding passes, and ran to our plane. We were the last to board and the door closed behind us! I did not look at the faces of the other passengers as we located our seats because I was too embarrassed. As we sat down and buckled our seatbelts, we experienced an incomparable relief. What joy we felt to know we had not missed our flight!

This leads me to conclude that the important thing is not the terminal and the waiting rooms, no matter how modern and well-equipped they may be. All of us in this immense terminal we call earth are waiting for our turn to leave. However, many are more concerned about how to make a profit and even how to build things in the terminal without understanding that when it is their turn to leave, they will not be able to take anything with them. The important thing is not to miss the narrow gate despite its difficult path (Mathew 7:14). What a joy will echo in our hearts when we find ourselves seated, saved, and redeemed with our beloved Savior and Lord Jesus Christ!!!  DS

“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 7:14  ESV

This article was written by Diego Suarez.  Diego currently is a pilot for Easyfly, a domestic Colombian airline. He also serves on our FCAP Board of Directors and has facilitated FCAP Workplace Seminars held in Latin America.

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FCAP Member Spotlight

 

 

 

This month we are featuring Shea Oakley, brother in Christ, FCAP member, and Aviation enthusiast extraordinaire.

Former aviation museum director Shea Oakley began his involvement with FCAP over 20 years ago. During that time, he has attended multiple trainings at our H.Q., acted as representative of the ministry at numerous airline historian/enthusiast shows around the U.S., administered FCAP’s New York Metro Area Facebook group, and been a member of our Advisory Board, among other roles.

You’ve likely seen his many engaging posts on LinkedIn! If not, go check them out, as they are well worth the read. 😊 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheaoakley/)

Shea has been a commercial aviation enthusiast for as long as he can remember. He first joined the World Airline Historical Society (WAHS) in 1983 at age 15 and in 1987 was co-founder of the Tri-State Airline Historical Society. The following year Shea began the first airline collectibles show held in the New York area, “Airliners Northeast,” at Newark Airport.

He has written many feature articles on U.S. airline history for several print and electronic publications and is currently Managing Editor of the quarterly journal of the WAHS. Shea joined the staff of the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of NJ in 2001 and was its Executive Director from 2006-2018. His latest project is The Commercial Aviation History Consultancy, an enterprise devoted to fact-checking and research for commercial aviation projects in every form of media.

We are so glad to know Shea and thankful for his 20 years of involvement with FCAP! To God be the glory.

-Your friends at FCAP

IN THE JETSTREAM – May

Adjusting the Thermostat
May 2022

It’s quite warm when walking into the crew room or break room.  The hallways outside in the terminal are refreshingly cool, but the crew room is awkwardly uncomfortable.  The temperature seems on the higher side.  What do you do?  Depending on your crew room, you might say something to another peer and ask if they also feel quite warm or just find the thermostat and seek to lower the temperature setting to cool it down.  The thermostat becomes adjusted.

Application in Our Lives

   How does this apply to us spiritually?  Adjusting the thermostat can be related to being fragrant, so to speak.  In 2 Corinthians 2:15-17, the Apostle Paul speaks of being the fragrance of Christ. As a Christian, I want to have the aroma of Christ Jesus, the fragrance of His life which was given to everyone who has acknowledged and received Jesus into their hearts through faith.  We need to take time and think before speaking …so that when words and actions are given, may they be with grace, seasoned with salt as in Colossians 4:5, 6.  The metaphor with salt is that it provides seasoning and flavor, and also preserves.  This applies to words as well … may the words spoken be with wisdom, have flavor and be valued for a long time.

Seek wisdom to relate to each unexpected encounter at any God given time.  Discernment is important for accountability to keep focus on Christ Jesus.  Sometimes pride or burdens might set in, and we may forget to let go of or lay these down at the feet of Jesus.  Common sins that take root will block our ability to reflect God’s love through Christ Jesus.  Before He prophesied about His death and resurrection, Jesus shares (Matthew 11:28) about giving rest to “all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens…”  He draws us to himself.  He will give each person rest.

Laying Down our Burdens

   Several years ago while in our crew room, I shared a very stressful situation with a fellow captain.  He listened intently and then asked me a basic question, “Do you know where to lay it down?”  I responded to him and asked the clarification question, “You mean, my burden?”  He said, “Yes!”  I responded, “I do know”.  He then stated, “You will be just fine then.”  He left the crew room shortly after the comment.

I have reflected on this conversation many times since then.  He had listened to me and then gently asked a basic question with which I could identify.  At that point, I made the choice to surrender my burden to Jesus.  The selfish feelings of entitlement while hanging onto my bitterness takes up precious time that could be used for praising and worshiping God and praying for others throughout the day.  We need to be aware of how these burdens block our focus and how they affect the focus of others around us.  Surrendering or laying down my “Why me?” burden, my “anxiety” burden, the “unknown fear” burden, and “insecurity” burden…I need to do this daily and sometimes several times a day.

The pilot was a brother in Christ, and he was setting the thermostat controls to a desired temperature that would lighten my load, make the room more comfortable, and allow me to refocus and be drawn back into the realm of concentrating on what I need to here on earth as it is in heaven.  “Do you know where to lay it down?”

Entering the Throne Room

   The Lord’s Prayer provides guidance as to how to lay down the burden.  Enter the throne room of God and, as a servant, express and acknowledge God’s holiness and greatness.  Acknowledge the burden, be transparent, ask Jesus for help.  Then as transparency is given, I believe pride loses grip, resentment dissolves, and extending forgiveness becomes easier to the person who burdened me, even if that person is me. I pray for God’s hand to be involved.  Trusting God’s ordained timing, I believe the aroma and fragrance naturally grows stronger.  The thermostat will naturally be adjusted for the Kingdom of God. EK

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.”   Matthew 6:9-13 NASB

Additional Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 2:15-17; Colossians 4:5,6; Matthew 11:28

 This article was written by Eugene Kraybill.  Eugene serves on our FCAP Board of Directors and as Senior Chaplain at the Washington-Dulles International Airport. He is regional Chief Pilot for Mesa Airlines at IAD.  His wife Christina also serves in the IAD Chapel.

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